Torre dei Becci, Medieval tower house in San Gimignano, Italy.
Torre dei Becci is a residential tower built from red brick in San Gimignano, located near Arco dei Becci along Via San Giovanni with a narrow floor plan and multiple interior stories. The structure demonstrates the vertical housing style characteristic of medieval towers constructed by wealthy families in this Tuscan town.
The tower was built by the Becci family in the 13th century when San Gimignano prospered as a stopping point on the Via Francigena pilgrimage route. The era was marked by merchant wealth and competition among noble families who displayed their power through these monumental residential structures.
The tower reflects how wealthy families in San Gimignano used tall structures to assert their status and influence within the community. The red brick construction and narrow form were typical of homes built by merchants and local nobility during this period.
The tower stands along Via San Giovanni, one of the main streets through the historic center, where visitors can easily observe its exterior and red brick details while walking through. The pedestrian area is simple to navigate, and you can study the facade while passing by without needing any advance planning.
This structure is one of only 14 towers surviving from the original network of roughly 72 towers that once defined the medieval skyline of the town. The dramatic reduction in numbers reveals how much the appearance of San Gimignano changed over the centuries.
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